Abstract:In different environments, different microorganisms can attach on materials and cause materials corrosion, which is termed as microbiologically influenced corrosion or biocorrosion. According to their types and functions, microorganisms involved in corrosion are divided into sulfate-reducing bacteria, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, acid-producing bacteria, iron-oxidizing bacteria, iron-reducing bacteria, nitrate-reducing bacteria and slime-forming bacteria. Corrosive microorganisms can affect almost all existing materials, so as to change and destroy the structures and performances of the materials. Microbiologically influenced corrosion can cause huge security risks and property damage on the construction, transportation pipelines, industrial environment (e. g. petrochemical) and marine environment. Here, we summarize corrosive microorganisms and their properties, as well as the corrosion mechanisms, to provide a theoretical basis to protect and control microbiologically influenced corrosions.